Diary of No 8080 Private JW Milne, 1st
Service Company Volunteers, Gordon
Highlanders (1900) during the Boer War.

This is the Boer War diary of my grandfather John William
Milne. He lived at the Mill of Pott near Cuminestown, then moved to Mill of
Millfield, where he worked as a miller and brought up nine children, of which my
mother Georgina was one. His wife Ann Hepburn died aged 42. He played an active
part in the community, being session clerk and the secretary of the Garmond
Games. He also fought in the Great War at the Battle of the Somme and wrote
diaries of his experiences there, but unfortunately they are presently lost. He
died in 1951 aged 73, when I was 8 months old.

For a more reflective summary of his experiences you may wish
to read South African Experience,
an article he wrote after his return.

The Volunteers were called for on 6th
January 1900. By the 17th 2 Coy were formed including half a Coy
of the London Scottish.

We were medically examined as follows, the 1st
Battalion 13th and 15th, the 4th Battalion-Donside
on 16th, and the 2nd Battalion on the 17th. The
above mentioned formed the 1st Service Company to which I belong.

We were then billeted out to the keepers of licensed houses in
the City of Aberdeen. We were drilled at Wolmanhill Barracks and the Links where
we practised shooting, and in about a month we were ready for active service and
every man was eager for a taste of real soldiering, for we knew we were no
longer a civilian soldier.

Before we left we were entertained by Aberdeen Town Council,
Lord Provost Fleming presiding, and Lord Aberdein presented each man with a
knife specially adapted for a soldier.

14th February

We afterwards assembled at the West Kirk of St Nicholas, where
the Rev Dr M Clymont preached the farewell sermon.

Mr Forbes-Leith of Fyvie made a handsome present of an
insurance policy for £100 for each Volunteer.

Fri 16th February

We left Aberdeen at two o'clock amid the cheers of the people,
a scene which I will never forget, as we marched along Union Street, down Market
Street and along Guild Street to the Station, mounted and foot Constables on
each side of us. We were being gradually crushed into single file till at last
we dropped into the Station one by one and into the carriages, some of us
perhaps never to return again.

17th February

We arrived at Southampton about 12 noon and got on board the
S.S. Guelph on Saturday at 2pm and left at 4pm. We had a very rough passage
through the Bay of Biscay. We were nearly all seasick for two or three days. We
anchored at Tenerife for coals and water and about an hour after we were in the
bay hundreds of small boats were round about us (mostly natives) selling
tobacco, oranges, tomatoes etc. We anchored again at St Helena and took in a
supply of water and unloaded some of out Cargo.

14th March

We were only a week's sailing from Cape Town and arrived there
on Wednesday at 3am after a very pleasant voyage. We had to lie in the Bay for
two days before we got into the harbour.

We spent most of our time on board the Steamer by reading
novels or anything we could lay hands on, playing cards etc. We had a parade
nearly every day to see if everybody was clean and tidy, a shower bath about
once a week in the morning at 6am, which was sometimes very cold. Once or twice
we had marching order parades with all our kits on our back, not to let us
forget the way to strap every thing together. Athletic Sports were held and a
Tug of War, our Coy coming off victorious in it.

We had a Church Parade every Sunday and immediately after, the
fire alarm sounded, and each of us had to rush off to our respective parade
Decks to await orders. We then got out rifles and fixed bayonets and were
marched off to guard the Boats with orders not to let anybody into them.

There were other Coy on board, all of them English and a few
passengers.

It was beautiful to see the hundreds of steamers that lay in
the Bay especially at night after they were all lighted up.

16th March

We got into harbour on Friday morning and disembarked about 12
noon. We all got a handful of grapes, which they called the Tommy welcome to the
Cape. They were supplied by the Rudyard Kipling Poem Fund.

We were then formed up and marched to Greenpoint about 2 miles
distant and camped there in tents, on very sandy ground. For my part I would
have called it Sandpoint, as all the time we were chewing our dinner the sand
was blowing about and we were grinding it amongst our teeth. Our beef was whiles
like a piece of leather and it required plenty of chewing to make it go down.
The first night we were entertained by the Cape Aberdonians to a Smoking Concert
in the Seapoint Hall and spent a very enjoyable evening.

17th March

The next night we got down into Cape Town to see the sights of
the place. It has a system of Electric Tramways all through the town but nothing
else in particular to take notice of.

18th March

On Sunday morning we got order to pack up our kits and make
ready for going up Country. We left them behind and were told to take with us
only one shirt, one pair of trousers, one pair of socks, one pair of canvas
slippers, our towel, soap, washing brush and shaving material. All the above
mentioned things were rolled up inside our greatcoat and strapped on the back,
along with one blanket and one waterproof sheet. We got served out with 100
round of ammunition each. At 9am we left Greenpoint for the Station. We got
photographed as we were marching into the Station and after we were in the
carriages.

Before we left we got biscuits and grapes handed in the
carriages and plenty of Bully Beef and coffee at some of the stations. We could
see nothing out at the carriage windows but hill and bare veldt, a town here and
there, all along the line. We could get plenty of fruit to buy which was very
cheap. We enjoyed out journey very much for we had the good fortune to travel in
carriages instead of coal trucks as the most of the troops were put up country
in.

20th March

We arrived at Naauw Poort on Tuesday at 12 noon, got off the
train and pitched our tents. We had a look round to see what like a place it
was. There is nothing but big hills all round about and a few houses about the
Station. There were plenty of troops here. A lot of them were the sick and the
wounded. There is a big base Hospital here I was told. There are about 800 in
it. There are about 20 Boer P.O.W. here, big strong men by us. They are kept in
a place fenced with corrugated iron and a barbed wire on the top, guarded by
soldiers day and night.

Wednesday 21st March

Reveille 5.30am, breakfast at 7.45am, paraded 9am and went out
into the veldt practising to do skirmishing in extended order. Attacking a big
hill, but of course that was no enemy.

Thursday 22nd March

Reveille at 5am. Paraded at 6.30. Were instructed in piling
arms. Breakfast at 7.45, paraded again at 8.30 for skirmishing practice and so
on. We began to think we would stay at this place for a while, as no Volunteers
were North of it as yet, but we hears tonight that we were going up country
further tomorrow, which we were all delighted to hear.

Friday 23rd March

Reveille 5am. Striked our tents, bundled them up and carried
them down to the station and put them into wagons. Breakfast at 7.45am. Got on
to the train about 11am, got some bully beef and biscuits and started for
Norvals Pont, which took us 4 hours. All along the line we could trace the
destruction which the Boers had done and for the first time I realised that we
would have a chance of a fight with the Boers yet, for we still thought that the
fighting would be all done without us getting a chance of firing a shot. We
arrived at Norvals Pont in the afternoon and got our tents off the train and
pitched just before it came on rain.

Saturday 24th March

Reveille 5am. Paraded at 6am and marched to the Station for
fatigue unloading wagons of sleepers and rails etc until 11am without any
breakfast, the rest of the Coy carrying stones to make a service bridge for the
trains to get up with supplies for the Troop in Bloemfontein. In the centre of
the bridge the engineers were working. They put planks across the centre, which
the Kaffirs carried, and stones at the sides. The Kaffirs also carried stones
all day on their heads. There was also an aerial tramway across the old bridge
which was carrying across stores to the other side driven by an electric wire
across the river. The bridge had 13 spans, 5 of which had been blown up in the
centre. We got a glass of rum that night.

Sunday 25th March

Reveille at 5.30am. Paraded at 5.30am for fatigue to make a
road down to the Pontoon Bridge for the mules and troops crossing. Stopped at
8am for breakfast, started again at 9am. Dinner at 1pm. Started at 2pm and
stopped at 4.30pm for tea. That was the way we spent our first Sunday as a
soldier at the front. We afterwards had a book of the positions the Boers had
held, the kopjes were lined with trenches and sangers, which had not been many
days evacuated. You would have thought nothing would have shifted them.

Monday 26th March

Reveille at 5am. Station fatigue and carrying luggage from one
train and mails from another all day across the Pontoon Bridge.

Tuesday 27th March

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 6am, fatigue carrying luggage
across the bridge all day. Got aroused at 10pm out of our beds and marched down
to the bridge to draw wagons across the temporary service bridge and up a stiff
hill on the other side nearly all night. We got a glass of rum to cheer us up a
bit. The wagons were loaded with biscuits and stores for the troops at
Bloemfontein which I knew after in what straits they were in.

Wednesday 27th March

Reveille at 5am. Had nothing to do that day. Went down to the
Orange River to bath and wash some clothes for we had now to be our own
washwerwoman. The river was very dirty and muddy. We were then told to get our
stuff ready for starting on the march tomorrow, as we heard we were going to
Bloemfontein, which place we began to fear we would never see, for we have been
six days labouring hard at the service bridge. Norvals Pont was a small place
with only a few houses round about the Station.

Thursday 29th March

Reveille at 5am. Striked our tents and carried them and extra
blankets down to the Station for railing to Bloemfontein. We started our march
at 9am. We were the leading Coy and I think we were the first Service Coy of
Volunteers to cross the frontier into the enemy country. Colonel Burney of the 1st
Gordons was in command, as good an officer as any one could wish for. There were
altogether about 1400 of us, all belonging to Highland Regiments, Seaforth and
Black Watch Volunteer Coys and D Section Reserves of Gordons, Seaforth, Argyle
and Southerns and Black Watch. We reached Donkers Poort about 12 noon, a
distance of 7 miles. We carried our greatcoats, all our kit, blankets and
waterproof sheet, which I tell you will make you sleep sound enough on the bare
open veldt whatever kind of night it is. After we had a rest for a short time we
were marched to a stream to fill our water bottles. The whole lot of us soon
found out a garden which was full of orange trees. In a few minutes we were
bounding over the fences and pulling the oranges, but our Col Sergeant was soon
after us, saying that if we did not come back the whole lot of us would be made
prisoners for looting, and not a few Officers were after us too, swearing at
some of us, for we were getting rare sport playing an old piano in the farm
house. However I managed amongst the rest to carry off a few oranges in by
helmet and in the top of my kilt, which is another advantage of the kilt. That
was about the last case of looting that I saw as orders were read out that
anyone found at it would be severely dealt with.

Friday 30th March

Reveille at 5am. Marched off at 6am to Priors, a distance of
17 miles. We lost our way amongst the hills and went a good bit out of our road.
We were told that we had done 25 miles carrying everything we owned. A good few
of them fell out that day from exhaustion and carrying such a load. I had a few
oranges left which was very refreshing on the long march.

Saturday 31st March

Reveille at 5am. Marched off at 6am to Springfontein, the
junction of the Port Elizabeth and Cape Colony Railways, a distance of 13 miles.
There was a small spring down below the camp with very fine water. It rose like
a fountain and was so clear and cool you would have thought the place was named
after it. There was also a small village not above half a mile from Camp.

Sunday 1st April

Reveille at 5am. Marched off at 12 noon through the village
and alongside the line to Tuilfontein, a distance of 7 miles, and carried one
blanket, the rest of our stuff being carried by rail. It was a very bad place
for water, only a draw well. I could hardly get in about to it owing to such a
lot of troops standing round about to fill their Camp Kettles for coffee in the
morning. I think some of them drew water all night for I was orderly man and it
was nearly 12 o'clock until I got my one filled.

Monday 2nd April

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 5.30. Marched off at 6am to
Jagersfontein Road Station, a distance of 13 miles. At 8pm we got orders to lie
in full dress and our equipment on, so as to be ready at a moment's notice. We
heard that there were some Boers in the vicinity, which had broken away from the
main body of the Boer Army.

Tuesday 3rd April

We were wakened at 4am and told to fall in as quickly and
quietly as possible. We were then marched out of Camp to about a mile and told
to lie down and stand to arms at daybreak. We really thought we would have a
fight that morning but we never saw a Boer. About 6am we retired to Camp and
into our bivouacs and got our breakfast which consisted of a hard biscuit and
coffee. 12 men of my section and our Sergeant got warned for out post duty all
day, to watch the lines and a bridge. We got relieved at 6pm by the A. and S.
Highlanders and retired to camp for the night. We were told to lie with full
dress on.

Wednesday 4th April

The Sergeant Major of the Battalion came round at about 3am
and wakened me and another chap to go out with an order to the post we were at
all day. We went first to the adjutant to get our orders and a letter to the
Captain in command of the piquet. We had to tell the Captain in case of an
attack to retire alongside the railway line on the opposite side of which ever
side the attack came from to the station where the Colonel camped. We were
challenged at every fifty yards of so to halt, advance one and give the
password. It was very dark at that time. The rest of the Coy were out to about a
mile from Camp at 4pm, the same as the morning before. At 12 noon we started to
dig trenches for they were fearing an attack. It was rumoured that 1500 Boers
were in the district and as we had no artillery to defend us, that night we lay
in the trenches with our rifle by our side and our equipment on. We had to stand
to arms at daybreak ready for the Boers but none appeared.

Thursday 5th April

Stand to arms at daybreak, breakfast at 7am. I went down to
the river to wash, about a mile from Camp. I had to take our rifle and
ammunition and keep it beside us all the time. I washed my shirt and socks. At
7pm we were sent out about a mile from Camp on picquets, sentries were posted
about 12 yards in front of the Coy and had an hour to do each. There was a big
herd of cattle and mules beside us, and we often challenged a mule but there was
no response so all went well without any enemy being seen. We marched back to
Camp at daybreak.

Friday 6th April

Rested all day. At 5pm the whole Coy went out to a hill about
1miles from Camp for outpost duty again. Nothing
occurred of any importance that night so we marched back to Camp. We got orders
to pack our kits for beginning on our march again. The last two days we lay
here, about 2000 or 3000 horses and mules passed us, General Gatacre, 6 guns, a
lot of Troops, 7 Transport Wagons and a Pontoon Bridge. There was a nice
village, a spring close by for getting water. Most of the houses were built of
brick, corrugated iron roofs, and most of the people are natives.

Saturday 7th April

Started our march for Kruger's Siding, a distance of 9 miles.
We got there about 1pm. There was a lot of Indian Stretcher bearers with
Ambulance Wagons. They knew who we were when we marched past, I suppose because
the Gordons were such a long time in India. We had a good rest in the afternoon
and a sound sleep all night, for we had slept for four nights with our equipment
on.

Sunday 8th April

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 5.30am. Started to march at 6am
for Edinburg, a distance of 15 miles. This place was the largest and nicest we
had been to as yet. The Free Staters soon told some of us that they would never
be loyal to the British. I heard of one man who had taken the oath and given up
his rifle and ammunition. They had found in his garden buried a Mauser and two
boxes of ammunition ready to fight again when required.

Monday 9th April

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 5.30, marched off at 6am for
Bethany, a distance of 12 miles: There was a big Camp, a lot of horses, mules,
oxen and transport wagons. I felt a little sick not being right about the
stomach, and went to tell the doctor. He gave me two no 9 pills which was said
to cure anything that was the matter with you (sore feet etc)

Tuesday 10th April

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 6am, marched off at 7am to
Kaffir River Bridge Station, a distance of 16 miles. I had a bath in the river
and felt a good lot better. One of our chaps was very near drowned if another
one had not jumped in clothes and all and carried him out. We had our first
experience of killing sheep for the Commisarant Stores. We commandeered the
hearts and livers for frying which was very sweet and tasty when right cooked.

Wednesday 11th April

Reveille at 5am, marched off at 6.30 to Krall Spruit at a
distance of 11 miles. There was terrible dirty and muddy water at this place
only a stagnant pool for drinking. It began to get terrible black and stormy
looking towards night. About 10 o'clock the rain began to fall and then came the
thunder and lightning. The rain poured down in torrents till we were wet to the
skin. We had only one blanket and waterproof sheet. Some of us got up while
others appeared to be quite comfortable. I was lying in about 2 or 3 inches of
water. I began to feel the cold so I got up about 12 o'clock (a rather early
reveille) and lighted a fire and sat down beside it with my blanket round my
shoulders trying to make the best of the advantages of the Army. This is the
worst night we have had as yet.

Thursday 12th April

Reveille 5am. We were up 5 hours age but all the same it
sounded. Marched off at 6am to Bloemfontein, a distance of 11 miles. About 10
o'clock we met the Band and Pipers of the Gordons. They had come out about two
miles to meet us and play us into Camp to join the Regiment. Our tents were
pitched and ready for us to go into; we have had no tents since the 29th
March.

Friday 13th April

Reveille at 6am. Good Friday was observed in Camp as a general
holiday. It is said that there are between 60000 and 70000 men here, and camps
for miles and miles round about. We get plenty of good meat (food); it
consists for breakfast coffee or cocoa with loafbread and jam, and whiles cheese
or ham. Dinner 1 lb fresh meat and vegetables. Supper, tea and what we have left
of our 1 lb bread.

Saturday 14th April

Reveille at 5.30am, paraded at 6.30am in full marching order
with kilt on. We were inspected by General Smith Dorrian of the 19th
Brigade in the 9th Division. He said a few words of welcome and told
us we were the first Volunteers to join his Brigade. At 10am we paraded again
and got instructions in manual exercise and were told how to salute an Officer
when on Sentry Duty, but it came on rain so we were dismissed and got the rest
of the day to ourselves.

Sunday 15th April

Reveille at 5.30am, breakfast at 7.30, paraded at 8am for
Divine Service; the whole Battalion of the Gordons paraded and formed up in line
of quarter column.

Monday 16th April

Reveille at 6am. It rained nearly the whole day. At 4pm it
cleared up a little and we paraded at 4.30 for drill, practising the attack in
skirmishing order etc under Captain Cameron. The drill is a bit different from
the Volunteers at home. They want us to be as smart as a regular soldier, so
that nobody would know that we were Volunteers when on duty.

Tuesday 17th April

Reveille at 4.30am, paraded at 5am for Station fatigue in
Bloemfontein carrying boxes of bully beef and biscuits etc off the wagons and
stacking them up in the yard until 7.30. We then went back to Camp for
breakfast, a distance of 2 miles. At 1pm we went back to the same job until 4
o'clock when we came back to camp and got our tea. It came on an awful night of
thunder and lightning, rain followed shortly after, every flash was as clear as
you could see everything in the tent.

Wednesday 18th April

Reveille at 5.30am, no parade today for it is always raining,
we are quite comfortable in our tents.

Thursday 19th April

Reveille at 5.30am, paraded at 6.30 for Drill. We were
instructed in charging magazines etc and were dismissed for breakfast. Paraded
again at 10.15 and were instructed in the art of firing and manual exercises.
Paraded at 3pm and were photographed along with the Battalion and then
dismissed. It has been a very fine day, the rain is all past, a strong sunshine.

Friday 20th April

Reveille at 5.30am. Medical inspection at 6.15 to see if
everybody is fit for marching. Paraded at 9am for musketry instruction judging
the distance and taking up aim with the aperture sight at a given object on a
kopje some 2000 yards away. To do this we had 3 rifles piled with fixed
bayonets, a blanket on top and then we set the rifle to the place we weere
ordered to. They were then inspected by an Officer to see if they were right.

Bathing parade at 2.15pm. We were told to take our mess tins
with us to wash ourselves in. It is a little comical going to bathe in the dish
you take your coffee, dinner and tea out of. All the same Tommy Aitkins has got
to do it. We never get in amongst the water in the ponds for spoiling it with
soap, as the horses have to drink it. Paraded again at 4pm, in full dress with
our kilts on for field drill. We were instructed in extending to single rank and
from two to six paces apart. I may tell you that a soldier's life is not
idleness out here with four parades a day.

Saturday 21st April

Reveille at 5.30am. We got order to pack up all our kits and
blankets and greatcoats and put them

on the transport wagons. We were told not to take any extras
with us as we were returning in two days. The fall in sounded at 7am and we
formed up in quarter column, the roll called and all present. We were in what
they called light marching order - one blanket, 150 rounds of ammunition, water
bottle full, one day rations in haversack and our rifle. We did not know where
we were going, but we were shortly dismissed with orders to be in readiness to
march off at any minute. That minute came at 1pm just as we had finished our
dinner. We marched off in an easterly direction to a place called Springfield, a
distance of 8 miles. We bivouacked there for the night. We were now called M
Company and had to take our turn of Duty along with the regulars. We found out
that the 19th Brigade consisted of the Royal Canadians, Shropshire
Light Infantry, Duke of Cornwall's Own and the Gordons under General Smith
Dorrien. The 19th, 21st Brigades and some mounted infantry
and cavalry formed the 9th Division under General Ian Hamilton, some
10000 men in all.

Sunday 22nd April

Reveille at 4am, had to go out to a hill as reserve picket for
fear of an attack. Got back to camp at 8am, had breakfast, paraded at 10.30,
marched off to a camp about 3 miles distant where some troops had been stationed
for a while. They had left on the morning, their tents were standing so we got
into them for the night. We could hear the big guns going all day away to our
right front.

Monday 23rd April

Reveille at 6am. Got a fine night's rest. Paraded at 9am and
marched off. At 10.30am we were thrown out in extended order and advanced in
that way the whole day. Got into camp about 8pm close to the Boer position and
within two miles of the Bloemfontein Waterworks. We had marched about 14 miles.
We then got some tea and the whole Company was detailed for outpost duty, our
coffee was brought out to us, we came off in the morning, in time to march with
the Regiment.

Tuesday 24th April

Marched off 6am for Boer position. Crossed the Modder River
near Sanna's Post and close to the waterworks. We could see plenty of spent
bullets lying on the ground in all directions and piles of empty cases beside an
ant hill or anything which had afforded cover. The Boers could be seen on the
hill tops in front of us, but a few shots from our artillery sent them flying
off the kopjes, which we camped beside. Two shells came flying over our heads
which was our baptism. None of our men were wounded, had a fine night's sleep.

Wednesday 25th April

Reveille at 6am, marched off at 9.30. Ourselves and an other
company were put on baggage guard in the rear. The fighting began at 10am and
lasted all day. We were on pretty high ground in the rear and could see the
shells bursting amongst the Boers all along the tops of the hills. At 4pm we
were extended along the left flank of the convoy for fear of a flank attack.
When the big guns ceased firing, we were formed up and marched along with convoy
to camp, which we reached about 8 o'clock. This place is called Iarael's Poort.
After that fight the Boers were said to be trekking north. There were two of the
Shropshires wounded, one Canadian killed, four wounded including their Colonel.

Thursday 26th April

Reveille at 3.30am, breakfast at 4, marched off at 5.30am, no
Boers to be seen today. We marched through a narrow Nek or pass into the open
Veldt. About 10 miles in front of us we could see Thabanchu and marched through
it at 10.30. It seemed deserted, only a few Kaffirs. We camped about a mile to
the north of the town. About 3pm 30 of us were sent down to the town to guard it
from looting. No soldiers were allowed into it to buy food or anything else
because the Commissariat wanted all they could get in it. I got a fine drink of
milk and a piece of loaf from a Free State lady which was very acceptable. Went
back to camp about 9pm and slept sound all night.

Friday 27th April

Reveille at 5.30am, were in no hurry to move, got breakfast
without sugar or bread. Got order to roll up our kits and make ready for moving.
We could hear shooting at the back of a hill away to the South. At 2pm we
marched out to a hill near the camp and lay in extended all afternoon. Our
artillery were shelling the Boers as they passed north before General French
which joined us as we marched back into camp. We got our tea and went to bed but
did not rest long. We got order to pack up our kits and fall in just when some
of us were beginning to fall asleep. The officers explained to us that we were
going to relieve a party of Kitchener's Horse which was hemmed in. We were told
not to strike a match or make a noise. In the event of being fired upon we were
to lie flat upon the ground. In about 15 minutes the Battalion fell in and a
Company of the Canadians. We marched on the whole night without seeing anything
further than some one falling asleep while he was marching and stumbling against
an ant hill. We always kept to a track. At dawn we were halted at a kopje and
told to lie down. Most of the men were soon sound asleep although it was
bitterly cold. We had marched about 21 miles and had seen nothing. Got into camp
about 1pm and got dinner. We heard in camp that Kitchener's Horse had arrived in
about 2 hours after we left.

Saturday 28th April

Got all afternoon and all night to rest without being
disturbed.

Sunday 29th April

Reveille at 6am. Rolled up our kits, got breakfast. There was
voluntary Church parade. Nothing was done in camp all day. We could still hear
the guns going. About 12 noon 2 shells lighted on camp (from the Boers) about
100 yards from us beside some mules. There were some chaps cooking about the
spot where the shell burst. Sunday 29th April

Reveille at 6am. Rolled up our kits, got breakfast. There was
voluntary Church parade. Nothing was done in camp all day. We could still hear
the guns going. About 12 noon 2 shells lighted on camp (from the Boers) about
100 yards from us beside some mules. There were some chaps cooking about the
spot where the shell burst. You could see them flying in all directions with
their mess tins in their hands. I was on quarter guard all night, that is the
guard which watches you as you sleep.

Monday 30th April

Reveille at 4am, breakfast at 5 - coffee and two day rations
of biscuits. Marched off at 5.45am in a westerly direction to try to cut off
Boers' retreat north. We had marched about 10 miles, big guns booming all the
time. We were despatched to attack the right of the Boers position and advanced
in extended order to Thava Hill or Houtnek under a very heavy shell fire where
the gallant Capt Towse distinguished himself and won his V.C.

We were rear Company and when we got up to the foot of the
hill shells were bursting and bullets flying in all directions, we were ordered
to carry up boxes of ammunition for our men on the top of the hill, which was no
easy job having to crawl on our bare knees and hands over the rocks. After dark
our Company was sent to a kopje on the South which we had to hold until morning.
We built sangers for about an hour and lay down to sleep behind them with
sentries posted in front of us.

Tuesday 1st May

Firing commenced as soon as daylight appeared and continued
till 12 noon. Half a Coy. of the Gordons were cut off and charged through the
Boers. After that they broke and fled across the veldt, our artillery shelling
them all the time. On the top of the hill while the killed were being buried we
could see the crowds of Boers on horseback and wagons flying across the veldt.
We buried 5 Boers on the hill but a lot more were killed than that. They (the
Boers) had a fine position and thought that they could have kept us back for a
good while. We retired off the hill and camped about 2 miles further on. The
hills round Thabanchu were now cleared of the Boers. We had fought for 7 days
out of 10. The name of the camp is Jacobsrust. We rested here and were joined by
Broadwoods Cavalry and Bruce Hamilton's Infantry Brigade.

Wednesday 2nd May

Reveille at 6am. Did not move today. Everything quiet in camp,
washed our clothes in a pond nearby. Although it was the day after a big fight
it made no difference. Everybody as cheery as though they were on Barry Links at
home.

Thursday 3rd April

Reveille at 4am. Marched off at 5.45am in the direction of
Wynberg. Heard the big guns booming this morning. We marched about 18 miles and
got no opposition. We were on an outpost all night. Marched into Camp in the
morning and got breakfast and are waiting orders to march.

Friday 4th May

Marched off at 8am. Was rear guard, a big fight going on in
front. We can hear the big guns going, a good many casualties amongst the Boers,
a very hard 18 mile march. Reached camp about 6pm, along with the Boers
ambulance. The name of the camp is Welhom on the Vet River.

Saturday 5th May

Reveille at 5am, breakfast at 6am, marched off at 6.30am.
Reached Wynberg about 2pm, a good looking place with a lot of British women in
it. As we marched through the streets a young woman shouted three cheers for the
British. Some of them were handing packets of cigarettes to us. We camped about
half a mile on the other side of the Town. We were told the Boers were only two
hours out of it.

Sunday 6th May

Reveille at 6am, got breakfast at 8am waiting orders to move.
Marched off at 4.30pm, reached camp at 9pm, a distance of 8 miles. No Church
parade today.

Monday 7th May

Reveille at 5.15am, breakfast 6.15. got orders to march off at
6.45 but it was cancelled. Got a rest today. We got half rations of flour and
had to bake it ourselves. We made what they call chaputties and roasted them
amongst fat.

Tuesday 8th May

Reveille at 6am. No orders to move yet. Got to rest all day
except rifle inspection and the usual camp fatigue. It is very beautiful
weather.

Wednesday 9th May

Reveille at 4.45am, breakfast at 5.15, marched off at 6.15.
Reached Tand River on the south bank, a distance ;of 12 miles, and camped. The
big guns were firing all afternoon at a party of Boers some 4000 strong who were
holding a line of kopjes (called Bloemplatts) lying parallel with the river on
the north bank. The Springbuck or Deer were flying about in hundreds. They were
running through and through the camp. Some of them got captured alive in camp,
the Officers were out shooting them. I saw some of the Lancers charging after
them with their lance.

Thursday 10th May

Reveille at 4am, breakfast at 4.30. Commenced fighting at
daybreak with a salute from the big guns an both sides. We were rear brigade and
did not advance till about 8am. When we passed our own guns the Boers were
making an excellent replay. We crossed the River an advanced towards the Boers
position called Bloemplatts. Meantime a heavy artillery duel was going on, the
shell from both sides booming over our heads. They evacuated the position before
we got up to them, and retired leaving some guns and a few prisoners in our
hands. We got into camp after dark some of us pretty well done up.

Friday 11th May

Reveille at 4am. Went out to support the pickets, came back to
camp at daybreak. The name of the camp is Deelfontein. Marched off at 12 noon to
Kroonspruit on the Ventersburg Road a distance of 17 miles. Got into camp about
8pm, got tea then had to go out on outpost duty until 6am the next morning.

Saturday 12th May

Got ready to march off at 8am. Marched about 11 miles, halted
for three hours and started again and marched other 7 miles to Koonstadt. Got
into camp about 6pm thoroughly done up, being on half ration since we left
Wynberg.

Sunday 13th May

Reveille at 5.30am. Church parade today. We got the rest of
the day to wash our clothes or anything we cared to do.

Monday 14th May

We were told we were getting this day to rest, but we had
three paradws so we were little better than on the march. We were inspected by
Lord Roberts and his staff. There is a big camp here.

Tuesday 15th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 7.30, marched off at 7am to
Krannspruit a distance of 7 miles. Camped at 1pm. We whiles try cooking, now
making mealie meal porridge and Kaffir meal, we carry a coffee mill along with
us and grind the mealies with it.

Wednesday 16th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 7. Lying waiting orders to move. Got
orders at 2pm, marched off at 2.30pm and reached camp at 8pm, a distance of 12
miles.

Thursday 17th May

Rev at 5.30am, breakfast at 6.30, marched off at 7am. Halted
at 11am for two hours, got orders to carry a bundle of sticks on our backs or in
our hand as there was no wood at the place we were going to. We reached
Reitfontein near Lindley at 6pm a distance of 17 miles.

Friday 18th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 7am. We first got orders to march but
they were cancelled so we rested all day.

Saturday 19th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 7.30, marched off at 9am. Coming back
part of the way we had come on Thursday, we then struck away north and marched 8
miles and camped at Magers Spruit. There is a little more vegetation round here,
a lot of fields of maize.

Sunday 20th May

Rev at 4.30am, breakfast at 5. Marched off at 6am. Halted at
2pm. We heard the big guns going all day. I went away to fill the water bottles
and by the time I got them filled they were moving off again. We reached camp
about 5pm after marching 18 miles. We camped on the top of a hill. I was on Batt
Guard. I can tell you it has been about the coldest night I have been out in as
yet.

Monday 21st May

Rev at 6am, got breakfast and dinner and marched off at
9.30am. Marched about 12 miles and camped. Got dished out with half rations,
biscuits and a quarter pound flour.

Tuesday 22nd May

Rev at 5am, breakfast at 5.30, marched at 6.30am and reached
Helilron with very little fighting, a very nice place with a large Church, a lot
of white people in it. Passed through the town about 12 noon and camped on the
other side. We had marched about 12 miles. When we got into camp our company
being in advance, we went out on wood fatigue. A pailing was near to us. Every
man fixed in a post. There was a great race for the nearest ones, in about five
minutes not a post was left standing for abour a mile along the field. Some of
the men got passas into the Town but nothing was left to buy in it.

Wednesday 23rd May

Rev at 3am. We went out to strengthen the outposts for fear of
an attack. We were put out in extended order and guns placed ready for fighting.
About 7am we retired off the hill and started marching without any breakfast.
Our Regiment was rear guard. Our Company was gun escort and nearly ran all the
way. Marched about 13 miles and camped. Got our flour baked that we got dished
out to us the night before. We were then detailed for outpost duty.

Thursday 24th May

Got breakfast of cold chupatties on the hill, then marched
into camp to join the Battalion which marched off at 5.45am. The bands in Camp
were playing the National Anthem being the Queen's birthday. We reached
Vredefort Road about 12 noon a distance of 13 miles, and camped beside the line.
Three bridges were blown down close beside each other. There was a big camp here
mostly cavalry.

Friday 24th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 6.30, marched off at 7.30. Crossed
the line, got orders to halt, take off our equipment and sit down and wait for
orders. We were now on Roberts' left flank and waited for him to come up. We
soon saw his balloon in the distance and thousands of troops, transport wagons
etc. Orders came for us to march at 4pm. We marched about 6 miles and halted
then other 2 miles and camped for the night. We were now called the Johannesburg
Column.

Saturday 26th May

Rev at 6am Orders to march at 7.45am were cancelled. A convoy
with biscuits came in so we got issued with biscuits again. Marched off at 8.45,
crossed the Vaal river at 3.45pm and camped on the banks. We bathed in the river
in the evening which we enjoyed very much for we had not had a bathe since we
left Kroonstad.

Sunday 27th May

Rev at 6am, breakfast at 7am, waiting for a convoy to come in.
Marched off at 9.15 and camped at Lindigue a distance of 15 miles. No Church
Parade today, a fine day for marching. It is beginning to get bitterly cold at
night in this part of the country.

Monday 28th May

Rev at 4.30am, breakfast at 5am, marched off at 6.15 for about
10 miles, halted for orders, a big fight going on in front. We could hear our
guns blazing away all day. We were lying at the back of a big kopje from which
you could see Johannesburg and the mines round about it. We at last got order
that we were camping here for the night.

Tuesday 29th May

Rev at 5.45am, breakfast at 6.15, marched off at 7.30am for
about 12 miles. For a long time we could see a lot of chimneys in the distance.
They looked like a manufacturing town. As we came nearer we began to see that
they were the great gold mines on the Rand. About 3pm we found ourselves halted
behind a low ridge. The Officers commanding the companies were called out and
after a few instructions we were extended to 30 paces and advanced across the
open plain. The 21st Brigade was on our left, the Canadians and
Cornwalls on our right, the Shropshire was convoy guard and the whole of the
fighting fell on us to do that day. The Boers had set fire to the veldt in front
of us. We thought we would be burnt alive every minute as we lay amongst the
burning grass. After we had crossed the fire the bullets were nearly as thick as
hailstones and comrades were falling on every side. There was on cover and the
khaki made a splendid target against the blackened veldt. We were now within 500
yards of the Boers. The order was passed along to fix bayonets and charge. We
could hear the pipes playing the charge, so everyone that was able rushed
forward. On reaching the first fringe of rocks about fifty yards from the enemy
I fell fairly exhausted. I crawled up behind some rocks and began firing at the
Boers along with some more. They soon began to retire and we charged once more
and the position was ours. But it was dearly won. It cost about 100 killed and
wounded. It was dark by this time and we camped on the battlefield. We got no
tea and we had had little to eat all day. Water was not to be got anywhere. We
got great praise from the General, Ian Hamilton. He said we had completely
demoralised the enemy and that they would never made any more stands against us.

Wednesday 30th May

Rev at 4am, got no breakfast. We had funeral Service at 10am.
We buried 17 of the Gordons. General Smith Dorrien our Brigade Commander gave us
great praise in his speech. After we filled in the graves we gave him three
cheers We afterwards marched off to a place called Florida about 6 miles
distant. We had neither meat nor water. We have had no biscuits for two days. As
we marched into Camp about 3pm the whole brigade and the 21st stood
up and gave us three cheers.

Thursday 31st May

Rev at 6am. Got a long rest today. We have not got any
biscuits yet. We got served out with 1/2 lb of mealie meal each for rations
which we made into porridge, on appearance of a convoy yet.

Friday 1st June

Rev at 6am, got no breakfast, lying waiting orders to move.
The order came for us to march about 11am. We marched about 6 miles and camped
close beside Johannesburg. The convoy came in tonight. We are going to get full
rations tomorrow. Some of us were sent into Town on Guard over Ian Hamilton's
quarters.

Saturday 2nd June

On Guard. Got full rations of everything today, all them off
duty got a pass into Johannesburg from 8am till 1pm, a good looking place, the
biggest town we have entered yet.

Sunday 3rd June

Rev at 5am, breakfast at 5.30, marched off at 6am in a
northerly direction to try to cut off the Boers' retreat form Pretoria and
attack it from the north-west. Marched about 14 miles and camped beside a farm,
heard big guns going all day.

Monday 4th June

Rev at 5.30am, marched off at 6. A lot of fighting to our
right front today. A heavy artillery fire supposed to be our guns shelling the
Pretoria Ports. Got into camp about 3pm, carrying bundles of sticks, halted and
made preparations for camping. A galloper came rushing in with some orders for
the Colonel. We were soon formed up and on the move again in the direction of a
big hill to our left where a few hundred were still hanging about. Firing
commenced in a few minutes. The Mausers were screeching and flying in all
directions. When we got to the top of the hill whe Boers had fled. We had one of
the Company hit on the leg but not serious. We could see Pretoria from our lofty
positiona nd heard that it had surrendered which we hoped was true.

Tuesday 5th June

Rev at 5am, breakfast at 5.30. Marched off at 6am as advance
guard, a good road, but it is nearly blocked with troops and guns. We are
closing in on Pretoria on all sides, big guns still goin to our right, close up
to the town by 9am, only marched about 6 miles. We were formed up in review
order and were told that Botha was coming out to make arrangements as to the
conclusion of the war, but he never came. Now is the time for one to think what
the British Army is, when you gaze upon the thousands of men all round about.
After waiting for about 3 hours in a bruning sun, we got orders to march upon
the town. We camped close beside it, took off our blankets. Half a pound of
bully beef was issued out to each man to make us a little more lively for the
march past. At 3 o'clock we were formed up and marched into Pretoria. We got
orders to fix bayonets as we entered the Town. The whole division was in line of
sections of fours, the Gordons in front. (between six and seven thousand men, 8
batt of infantry in all) It was a magnificent scene as we entered the Square of
Pretoria. The massed bands of the Guards were playing the Boys of the Old
Brigade. Lord Roberts' staff were on horseback in front of the pedestal for old
Kruger's statue. On the other side were the civilians kept back by a row of
soldiers which kept a passage clear for us to march through. The ladies added a
variegation to the scene by their numerous colours of dresses. We still marched
on through all the streets and halted at dark and camped in a different place
and nearer the town. We have no blankets, coats or kits for the whole lot of
stuff was left at our last camp and did not get (to sleep?) until one o'clock in
the morning. There was plenty of wood so we kept up good fires to keep ourselves
warm. We were now Lord Roberts' bodyguard.

Wednesday 6th June

Rev at 6am, spent a miserable night. After breakfast our boy
was sent out to a hill overlooking the Town on outpost. All those left in camp
were kept busy cleaning it up a little. It was very rough and stony ground for
lying on.

Pretoria, 6th June
1900

The following Brigade Order by Major General Smith Dorrien
D.S.O. is published for information.

The 19th Brigade has achieved a
record of which any Infantry might be proud of. Since the date it was formed, 12th
February 1900, it has marched 620 miles often on half rations seldom on full, it
has taken part in the capture of ten towns, fought in ten General actions and on
other 27 days. In one period of 30 days it fought 21 of them and marched 32
miles. Casualties between 400 and 500. Defeats nil.

Thursday 7th June

Came off outpost at 8am, got breakfast and started to clean up
our own lines, taking out all the big stones and making a row up the side of the
camp and whitewashing them. At 1pm got orders to pack up our kits and be ready
to march at 2pm. We formed at the hour and marched out of Town to the south by
the railway line. We heard that we were going to reinforce the troops at Diamond
Hill. However we trekked on until 12 o'clock and saw nothing covering a distance
of 20 miles.

Friday 8th June

Rev at 5am, marched off at 6am back in the direction we came
last night, until we struck the line not far from Irene. We halted here for
about 2 hours waiting orders. We again started to trek and kept by the line and
reached Germiston just before the sun went down a distance of 18 miles, where we
camped for the night. I was on quarter guard all night. It was bitterly cold.
About a quarter of an inch of frost lay on our blankets in the morning.

Saturday 9th June

Rev at 5am, marched off at 6am for Elandsfontein, the Junction
of the Pretoria, Johannesburg and Natal Railways. We camped close beside the
Station.

My Diary stops here all except some notes of special things
that happened. We stopped for about a month at this place and were under orders
to pack up and leave at any minute to any place which was attacked up or down
the line. Every day was much about the same for duty except when on the line in
cattle trucks. We built forts and sangers all round about, mostly on the refuse
heaps at the Mines. We had some fine commanding positions at the mines of the
country and the line for a good few miles round. We also dug a redoubt, which
you could live in and cook your food and be safe from shells in case we were
besieged. We had to patrol the line for about 16 miles by day and night to see
that no damage was done or any Boers lurking about. Our Coy had a guard to
supply every night of 15 men out of 40 duty men which was about the total at
that time and quarter guard every other night. After lying here for about a week
we got orders one morning to pack up everything for moving. In a short time we
were formed up and marched to the Station, got into Cattle trucks about 50 in
each and went up country as far as Irene about 10 miles south of Pretoria. We
had only one blanket with us, our baggage was left behind, camp kettles and the
Cooks, and we got no tea. As it grew dark it got very cold, we kindled fires and
lay down round about them. We did not fall asleep until we were fairly
exhausted. In the morning each man was issued out with his coffee and sugar and
we made it ourselves. About noon we returned to Elandsfontein. When we got about
halfways back our engine stuck for want of water. They uncoupled and left us
standing on the line and made off for the next station about 10 miles distant.
They returned in about 3 hours.

A day or two afterwards found us in the coal trucks again on
our way up to Springs (in a coal mining district) to reinforce the Canadians who
had left on a night march after a party of Boers. We were put on outpost all
night which was bitterly cold. At day break we could hear the big guns going.
They got louder as the time went on. We came back to the station and had
breakfast and lay all day in reserve but was not wanted. We returned to
Elandsfontein in the afternoon. In about a week we again got one of those
surprise orders to pack up and get ready at once, but this time to take
everything with us. The whole Battalion paraded this time. We marched off to the
station about 10am after a little delay in railing the transport wagons and
mules. We again started for Irene, where we stayed for two or three days. We
left by rail on Tuesday 10th July for
Krugersdorp. We landed about 3pm and camped below the station. On the 11th
July we marched off at 6am intending to go back to Irene. We had the
Shropshire Light Infantry , two 15 pound field guns and a detachment of Imperial
Yeomanry, 20 in number, acting as scouts. The Gordons were advance Battalion.
Our Company was gun escort and were the first in the firing line. We had not
gone above 10 miles when we became aware that we were being watched and that we
were already in a trap. We at once got orders to extend to six paces, and at the
same time we were greeted by a perfect hail of Mauser bullets and every man
threw himself down flat on the bare open veldt without cover of any kind. By
this time our guns were in action and had fired two or three shells, but they
were too near the mauser bullets. About 3 minutes 15 gunners out of 17 were
wounded including their officer who was wounded in three places and still
persisted in trying to work his guns. We had got order to rush the nearest
kopje, which we did at all we could run, not a man was hit in our advance. We
could now see the Boers on a higher ridge about 1000 yards in front of us. We at
once commenced firing and kept it up till dark, firing about 150 rounds each. I
emptied both my pouches before I stopped and had only 7 left in my magazine. Captain
Younger was killed in an attempt to get the guns
dragged into cover. Three of the Volunteers were wounded and some of the
Regulars. About 8 o'clock some of the Boers crept down on their hands and knees
and tried to capture the guns. We got orders to fire bayonets and give them a
volley or two, which sent them flying back to seek the cover they had left. We
afterwards retired and took the guns along with us. We also got orders from the
General to eat our emergency rations which is the first time we have got leave
to do so. We marched back by another route to Krugersdorp, for fear of the Boers
waylaying us. We had fought and marched for 24 hours covering a distance of
about 25 miles. We arrived in Camp and lay down to sleep thoroughly done up. We
slept till the sun was shining through our blankets. In the afternoon we buried
Captain Younger in the Krugersdorp Cemetry.

On the 12th August Colonial
Division passed us at Fredericstadt. Half of the Battalion with us left with a
convoy in rear that night about 5pm but turned again at 12 at night and marched
back to Wildfontein where we halted for the night. Thence coming back camped at
Badfontein 14 miles form Helvetia. On train next day abut 5pm to Krugersdorp.
Camped for the night. I was on Battalion guard, very cold night. Next morning
entrained for Belfast.

Left Belfast on Monday 3rd
September on a left flanking movement at Bullers Column. On our way to
Lydenburg came in touch with the enemy in the evening about 6pm when the latter
fired some shells into where we camped from a long range gun. Next morning, Tuesday
4th, the Boers fired some shells. Our gunners were unable
to locate where the Boer gun was. Our guns were ready for action. We advanced in
extended until we reached the nice little village of Dullstroom where the Boers'
camp had been. We were reinforced by Brocklehurst's brigade of cavalry. We
halted for two hours and got dinner and started marching again and camped. On a
hill top not far from a river in the evening some Boer snipers began firing into
our camp. Some of us were down bathing. A few mounted men galloped out to
ascertain the strength but as usual the Boers fled.

Wednesday 5th September

Very misty morning. Did not start so soon as we intended owing
to it. We were on the fight flank all day in extended order amongst the
mountains which were very high. We passed a beautiful fall amongst the hill
which we admired very much. Our Captain took a snap of it. We heard a fierce
fight to our right all day and heavy guns going which was Buller's force. We
camped in a nice valley which was rich in vegetation, plenty of rank grass
everywhere.

Gordons were rear guard. Our Company were escort to the guns
of the rear guard and we were continually harassed by snipers on our left flank
until we were despatched up a steep hill which we had to climb on our hands and
knees often having to pull ourselves up by tufts of grass. A few Boers were
visible. We fired a few volleys at them. They ran in about to a farm and put up
the white flag which we took no notice of. We waited on the top of the hill
until all the convoy got through a pass. We got into camp about 6pm, after a
rather hard day's mountaineering. We were now close to the Buller's force which
we were anxious to see owing to the 2 Battalions being with him. Some of the men
were across at Buller's camp and some of his were across at us. We heard our
advance guard of cavalry were in Lydenburg and us only 8 miles from it.

Friday 7th September.

We marched up to within a mile of Lydenburg when it became
known that the Boers were in a large force on a hill commanding the town called
the Mawchberg kopjes. We fell back about a mile and waited for Buller's force to
come up. The Boers tried a clever ruse to divert our attention to our rear by
heligraphing to some hill on our rear. At the same time we thought that it was
our mounted troops that had got possession of the hill and was signalling to us
that the hill was clear. We were soon deceived however as a shell burst within
half a mile of us on the road beside a team of mules of Buller's convoy. So
accurate was the aim of the first shell that they had surely measured of the
distance. But in a few minutes the shell shrapnel were soon bursting over our
heads which was a little uncomfortable as we were at our dinner. The Royal Scots
and Royal Irish moved to the rear out of range while we had orders to pack our
kits and get ready for going out with the two 4.7 guns to be ready for the
attack in the morning. We thought we would have to stop with them all night for
we had only our one blanket on out back. We got a severe shelling when we were
going out, the shrapnel bursting over our head steady from a range as it was
estimated of 7 miles, some pieces of metal falling close beside me but we all
escaped unhurt, although some of the Indian stretcher bearers were wounded.
Close beside us the Boers were shelling the ambulance quite regardless of our
red cross flag floating over it but we were relieved by our sister Battalion. I
was down bathing in the river before the shelling commenced and was only new
away when a shell burst over the place where I had been bathing killing three of
the Royal Irish.

At dawn on Saturday September 8th,
shelling recommenced, and continued without intermission all day. The attack on
the Boer position had begun. General Buller's men were now on our left, the
Royal Irish and Royal Scots in front, the Gordons in support, crowded for the
present behind a sharp-topped kopje. Up the yellow hillside roll the lines of
men, the shells were singing overhead and falling at random, with the well known
earthly thump and sulphurous splutter. The men begin to disappear, and are lost
for a time in the deep recesses between the bastion hills, and reappear again
half-ways up the mighty Boer ramparts. The supports were now advancing slowly
but steadily up the hillside, down a steep wooded slope into a deep ravine and
up another kopje.

This is where my grandfather's diary ends, but you may wish to
read South
African Experience, an article he wrote on his return, for
the rest of the story.